Sex offender linked to Daniel trial to make bid for release

A DANGEROUS sex offender, who at one time was considered a person of interest in the disappearance of Daniel Morcombe, could be released from prison soon.

Douglas Brian Jackway - who has been detained beyond the end of his sentence under the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 - is scheduled to have a hearing in the Brisbane Supreme Court on Monday.

Jackway has raped two young children, including a 10-year-old boy in Gladstone.

In 1995 he snatched the boy and tried to sexually assault him in broad daylight.

He also committed crimes on the Sunshine Coast.

When Jackway was released from prison in 2003, he went to live with his partner at Goodna, near Ipswich.

Police quizzed him about his whereabouts when Daniel disappeared on December 7, 2003.

Daniel went missing one month after Jackway was released.

Jackway testified at the trial of Brett Peter Cowan, who was later convicted of killing Daniel.

Cowan's defence team raised Jackway as an alternative person of interest in Daniel's disappearance.

However, Jackway denied he drove along the road Daniel was believed to be abducted from when he was on his way to see his sister.